Improvement in gymnastic apparatus



H. s. cARLEY. GymnasticApparatus, N0; $9,301 Patented Feb. 2,1875.

ATTORNEYS.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HORACE s. OARLEY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

IMPROVEMENT IN GYMNASTYIC APPARATUS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 159,301, dated February 2, 1875; application filed J une 27, 1874.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HORACE S. OAKLEY, of the city, county, and State of New York have invented a new and Improved Gymnastic Apparatus, of which the following is a specification:

My invention consists of a grooved wheel with a handle, rod, or bar pivoted to each side, either eccentrically or concentrically, mounted on a rope or rod stretched horizontally, with the handles hanging down each side of the rope for the performer to suspend himself by to perform his feats, and at the same time propel himself along the rope.

My invention also consists of the handles, provided with an extension beyond the pivot, in the same line as the handle, forming stirrups or foot-pieces, on which the performer may mount above the wheel, either on the rope or on the ground, turning the handles upward and the stirrups downward, and thus ride on the wheel.

When the handles are pivoted at the center of the wheel, the forward movement will be effected by gravity on the descending portion of the line, and momentum on the ascending portion, or by the momentum of the performer thrusting himself forward while suspended by the handles; or a ratchet-and-pawl mechanism may be employed to be worked by worlc in g the handles forward and backward alternately or together.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved gymnastic apparatus, showing the performer suspended from the wheel mounted on the rope, and also mounted above the wheel on the ground, the handles being pivoted eccentrically to the center of the wheel. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the wheel and handles, the

handles being pivoted to the center of the wheels. Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the wheel and handles as when adjusted for the performer to mount above the wheel; and Fig. 4 is a front elevation of the wheel with handles pivoted to the center, connected together under the wheel, and having other gear attached for use in certain special operations.

A represents a wire or other strong rope or cord or it may be a metal rod stretched horizontally between two fixed objects of support for it at the ends. B represents grooved wheels to run along the rope. (3 represents handle-bars pivoted to the wheels, one at each side, to hang down from the wheels, for the performer to suspend himself by, or to extend upward for him to mount above said wheel, said bars having a stirrup, D, projecting beyond the pivot for the latter purpose, and for this purpose and for others they will be pivoted eccentrically to the wheels, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2; but for some purposes they will be pivoted to the center, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, either with or without a ratchet, E, and pawl F; or the handles may slide up and down on the pivot, and have springs for raising them to engage ratchets for turning the wheel; and they may, when pivoted to the center, be connected together at G, below the wheel, and have various kinds of gear suspended from the connection for different performances.

Many curious, exciting, and interesting feats may be performed with such apparatus.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patcut- 1. The combination, in an exercising apparatus, of grooved wheel B, separately pendent handles 0, and stretched rod or cord A, as shown and described.

2. The foot pieces or stirrups D, in combination with handles 0 and wheel B, when the handles are pivoted eccentrically to the wheel, substantially as specified.

HORACE S. OAKLEY.

Witnesses:

T. B. MOSHER, ALEX. F. ROBERTS. 

